Stories & features

Aug 24, 2016

John Hart, Site C benefits go beyond clean, reliable power

The John Hart Generating Station, located within the City of Campbell River, has been operating since 1947. The facility is undergoing major upgrades to ensure it continues to deliver clean, reliable energy for years to come.

We’re at work across the province upgrading our system to ensure we can continue to provide clean, reliable electricity. Aging infrastructure, a growing population, and a need for more capacity in our system as demand for electricity increases are the main drivers behind the investments we’re making.

Upgrading the electrical system – most of which was built in the 1960s – isn’t a simple task. It involves significant planning and time to complete these major projects, which is why we need to start now.

We’re not just focused on the long-term benefits these projects will have when they’re complete, but also on the positive impacts they’re having right now by creating jobs and providing a boost for the local communities.

A boost for the City of Campbell River

The John Hart dam has been a cornerstone of the City of Campbell River since it began operating in 1947. It helps to power the city of about 30,000 and the rest of Vancouver Island, and serves as a popular recreation spot for locals and tourists. The project – which is expected to finish in 2019 – has created a number of local jobs, with most of the 300 people currently working there living within 90 kilometres of the site. Over 100 local businesses are benefiting from supplying products and services.

A project this size brings significant economic benefits and jobs to the Peace region. As of June 2016, there were more than 1,800 people working on the Site C project, and more than 1,500 of those were from B.C. Carpenters, truck drivers, crane operators, safety advisors and officers, mechanics, and worker lodge operations staff have all found jobs on the project. As construction continues to ramp up, the number of workers will continue to grow until the project’s completion in 2024.